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About

The Coastal Bend Business Innovation Center (“CBBIC”) at Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi (“TAMU-CC”), and Cheniere Energy (“Cheniere”) have teamed together to facilitate a series of six (6) workshops designed to assist innovative, local entrepreneurs in developing business models that align with and fulfill industry supply-chain needs while strengthening the local economy.

At the conclusion of the six (6) workshops, participants can apply for awards from Cheniere ranging from $5,000 to $20,000. These awards are open to all small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Coastal Bend who complete all six (6) workshops.



Program Description & Benefits

The program seeks to achieve two important outcomes for the Coastal Bend economy:

  • Inspiring ambitious small businesses and entrepreneurs in the Coastal Bend to pursue their next challenge by offering a series of specific professional development programs culminating in an opportunity for select businesses to apply for business development funds through a competitive application process.
  • Supporting the major industry and public sector employers in the Coastal Bend economy through strengthening supply chain participation by providing potential funding opportunities and assistance to local businesses and entrepreneurs on how to leverage their business and/or skills to fulfill growing need for vendors, business services, catering, fabrication, manufacturing, construction, and more.
Competitive applications will describe how the small business will use these funds for growth, increased productivity, or improved access to markets. Additionally, with COVID-19 impacting how small businesses can operate, applications will also be considered that discuss how the grant, and the project that stems from it, will help their business sustain operations. Targeted business and public sector employers have been provided by Cheniere below:

  • Catering Services
  • Events Organization and Rentals
  • Printing/Advertisement Services
  • Consultancy/Training
  • Janitorial Services
  • Safety Services
  • Pest and Control Services
  • Landscaping
  • Small Scale Fabrication
  • Others as determined by Cheniere

Community Benefits

The program is designed to provide small businesses with the knowledge and guidance needed to bridge gaps in their capacity to market their products and services to major industry partners in the Coastal Bend region. In addition to the opportunity for select businesses to apply for awards after the successful completion of the program, recipients will receive the following benefits:
  • Guidance through specialized curriculum from the CBBIC with input from industry and public sector professionals for businesses aiming to fulfill the growing needs of the Coastal Bend Region of Texas.
  • Access to assistance from a member of a panel composed of CBBIC, Cheniere, area industry leadership, and major public sector employers for participants who successfully complete the program and apply for awards from the competitive award process following the program.
  • CBBIC will provide on-going consultation to businesses as appropriate.
  • Other small business resources, as available, to support business growth.
  • When culminating award cycle opens, at Cheniere’s discretion, businesses that particularly meet industry supply chain needs will be invited to submit applications for funding ranging from $5,000-$20,000.

Program Timeline

  • Workshops will begin January 24, 2024 and conclude April 3, 2024.
  • Upon completion of 6-session program series, the Coastal Bend Business Innovation Center will disseminate applications and collect proposals from businesses who meet the criteria to apply for funding.
  • Applications will open on April 18, 2024, and must be submitted no later than May 1, 2024
  • CBBIC will provide the proposals to Cheniere’s review panel, who will evaluate the applications and make final decisions regarding the awarding of funds.
  • Texas A&M University-Corpus Christi Institutional Advancement Office will administer funds based on the decisions made by Cheniere’s review panel.
  • On-going, quarterly check-ins with awardees will take place for the year following receipt of funding.






Please remember to qualify for award funds, you MUST attend all 6 workshops. Each workshop will be held from 10:00am-noon with round table discussions at the conclusion of each workshop.



For more information contact
Melissa.Windle@tamucc.edu, 361-825-3535
10201 South Padre Island Drive, Corpus Christi, Texas 78418